The Wellington Wine and Food Festival

The Wellington Wine and Food Festival is rolling into town this weekend and it promises to be a cracker! This festival is a celebration of the very best of local food, wine and craft beer all set in the beautiful surrounds of Wellington’s stunning waterfront. The event kicks off this Friday 10 March at 5.00pm and is a great way to start your weekend after work. There are then two more sessions on Saturday 11 March – the afternoon from 11.30am – 4.00pm and the evening session from 5.00pm to 9.30pm.

Where is the Wellington Wine and Food Festival being held?

Waitangi Park on Wellington’s Waterfront provides the awesome location for the Wellington Wine and Food Festival. If last year’s event is anything to go by, huge crowds are expected for all three sessions and it is advised that you purchase your ticket for your preferred session in advance. Some tickets may be available on the day but once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Included in the cost of your ticket is a souvenir glass, live entertainment and some great food and wine at discount prices.

What can I expect at the Festival?

The Wellington Wine and Food Festival is a true celebration of wine, food and craft beer – all the good things in life! You will be able to sample delicious wines from local producers, some amazing craft beers from the Wellington region and beyond and some tasty food from restaurants all around Wellington. This year the festival is also catering for those who don’t fancy a wine or beer and the new addition to this year’s festival is the mocktail bar which is being run by Ray Leota from the Roxy.

Wines at the Festival

This premier wine and food festival has an awesome lineup of vineyards and wine producers from the local region including:

Confidant Wines

Gladstone Vineyard

Luna Estate

Tiki Wines and Vineyards

Whitehaven Wines and No1 Family Estate

Wineseeker

Food Vendors

Matching the wine with food is always a tricky challenge. Thankfully the organisers of the Wellington Wine and Food Festival have pulled out all the stops this year and brought in some of Wellington’s best restaurants. You will be able to purchase small plates off any of these restaurants which means you get to try lots of different food all in one session! Here are some of the restaurants involved this year:

Afrika

Artisan Dining House/Bolton Hotel

Boquita

Crab Shack

Foxglove Bat & Kitchen

Hillside Kitchen & Cellar and The Ramen Shop

Karaka Café

MishMosh

St Johns Restaurant and Bar and Arborist Rooftop Bar & Eatery

Sushil’s Tasty Manna

You should be able to find something in this fantastic selection to go with your wine, craft beer or mocktail!

Craft Beer and Cider

If wine is not your thing and you’re more of a craft beer drinker, don’t worry, you’re well catered for! Craft beer production has really exploded in New Zealand and there are some cracking craft breweries situated all around the Wellington region and then there’s also the Nelson region which is just a short hop across the Cook Strait. Here are the craft breweries whose delightful beers and ciders you can sample at this year’s Wellington Wine and Food Festival:

Crooked Cider

Duncan’s Brewing

Funk Estate

Good George Brewing

Kereru Brewing

Three Wise Birds

Not only are these beers delicious, the breweries and their beers also have cool names!

Keeping you entertained!

With all this wine, food and beer going on, the final piece of the puzzle is the entertainment and once again, the organisers of the Wellington Food and Wine Festival have nailed it with three of Wellington’s best bands providing the entertainment across all three sessions. Playing a mix of original work and covers, these guys are going to be rocking it out all weekend:

Miles Calder and the Rumours

The Fades

The Prenups

To find out more and to purchase your tickets for this awesome event, visit the official Wellington Wine and Food Festival website.